Red Line, at the elevator entrance.
The massive mechanical platform stood quietly docked there. Above it lay the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
Security here had always been tight, but today was different.
A full squad of Cipher Pol 0 members in white uniforms and masks stood in neat formation on both sides of the elevator.
Every one of them stood perfectly straight, their presence cold and severe.
At the front of the formation, a gloomy, agitated man paced back and forth.
Every so often, he looked up toward the port ahead, then could not help checking the time again.
This was Spandine, who had now climbed his way into the position of Cipher Pol 0 commander.
Over the years, through scheming, reading people, and an exceptionally precise talent for following the political winds within the World Government, he had clawed his way from CP9 into Cipher Pol 0 and become its commander.
Normally, he was best at putting on airs.
He also knew exactly when to bluff and posture, and when to bow his head to save his own life.
Yet at this moment, the Cipher Pol 0 commander who usually loved throwing his status around was sweating profusely.
"Damn it..."
Spandine paced back and forth, muttering under his breath.
"Vice Admiral Rock came up from here last time. He should take this route again, right?"
"Probably...?"
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
The Five Elders' order had come too suddenly, and their tone had been too cold.
Based on the instincts Spandine had honed through years of struggling within the World Government—
This summons was definitely about more than an ordinary report.
"Something feels very wrong..."
Spandine's expression shifted again and again.
"Should I secretly warn Vice Admiral Rock later?"
"But if they